Selvatura Adventure Park at Monteverde

By Kelly Kneival and Lacey Merica

Monteverde did not always start out as one of Costa Rica’s top three tourist destinations. In its early beginnings Monteverde was a milk producing community that was settled by Quakers who were in search of a better future for their family. The Quakers settled Monteverde in a humble fashion for the single purpose of providing sustenance for their families. This value was one shared by both Costa Ricans and the Quakers.

During the initial settling of Monteverde families were primarily concerned with planting and growing crops and milk cattle. Families would take their goods to local markets in the area such as Guacimal, Chomes and Puntareanas. At this time the Quakers practiced controlled deforestation. The practice of controlled deforestation is cleaning the farm land of trees and other plants to make room for planting and areas for cattle to graze.